Theater

Tony Winner Gets Audience To Sing 'Happy Birthday'

7:11am June 11, 2018

John Tiffany won a Tony Award for his work in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. At the ceremony, he thanked colleagues and then noted it was the birthday of his boyfriend David Knock.

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Though the musical Mean Girls is nominated for a dozen Tony Awards, no Tonys are given to Broadway choruses. Kamille Upshaw is pictured in the bright green jacket, right of center.

Arts

A Campaign For 'Often The Hardest-Working People On Stage' — The Chorus

7:54am June 10, 2018

by Jeff Lunden

Broadway chorus members won't be recognized in their own categories as part of tonight's Tony Awards. But they might be in the future, thanks to an effort from the Actors Equity union.

Melody Herzfeld helped save 65 students when gunfire broke out at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

Parkland Drama Teacher Who Helped Save 65 To Receive Tony Award For Education

10:48am June 09, 2018

by Jason Breslow

Melody Herzfeld sheltered dozens of students during the February shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School. On Sunday, she'll receive a Tony Award for excellence in education.

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Luz Nicolás stars in Exquisita Agonía by Nilo Cruz, which premieres in May at Repertorio Español.

Arts

Repertorio Español Celebrates 50 Years With A World Premiere

7:12pm May 29, 2018

by Jeff Lunden

Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Nilo Cruz has written a play specifically for the anniversary of the Spanish language theater.

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Books
Arts

How Rodgers And Hammerstein Revolutionized Broadway

1:39pm May 28, 2018

by Terry Gross

Todd Purdum's new book is about the creative partnership and strained personal relationship behind such hit shows as Carousel, South Pacific and The Sound of Music. Originally broadcast April 9, 2018.

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Nadia Albina as Gentlewoman, Anne-Marie Duff as Lady Macbeth and Michael Balogun as Doctor in Macbeth at the National Theatre in London.

From Prison To The London Stage: A 'MacBeth' Actor's Second Act

1:27pm May 13, 2018

Michael Balogun spent his early years in and out of jail — until he decided to become an actor. Balogun credits that decision as to why he's alive today.

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Arts

Condola Rashad Talks Joan Of Arc On Broadway

8:07am May 05, 2018

Condola Rashad stars in St. Joan on Broadway and tells NPR's Scott Simon that Joan of Arc will always be fascinating as a woman who did what she believed and led thousands of soldiers to victory.

Music is integral to Arena Stage's Snow Child, and actors sometimes join the house band on their own instruments.

'Snow Child' Conveys Alaska's Wild Magic In Musical Form

5:14pm May 02, 2018

by Lynn Neary

Eowyn Ivey's novel about a Alaskan homesteaders longing for a child — and the magical snow girl who appears to them — has been reimagined as a bluegrass-infused musical.

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Actor Leslie Odom Jr. attends the 2018 Tony Awards Nominations Announcement on May 1, 2018. in New York City.

Books
Arts

Pop Culture Happy Hour: Talking 'Hamilton' And 'Failing Up' With Leslie Odom Jr.

9:00am May 02, 2018

by Linda Holmes

Broadway's original Aaron Burr sits down to talk about his new book, how it feels to hear ugly things about your career, and what he wants to do now that he couldn't before.

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Actors rehearse a dance scene for the 1968 London production of the musical Hair.

Arts

'Hair' At 50: Going Gray, But Its Youthful Optimism Remains Bouncy And Full-Bodied

4:43pm May 01, 2018

by Bob Mondello

Bob Mondello says the musical looked — and sounded — much different from anything Broadway had ever seen and helped secure a place for rock music on the Great White Way.